A great year and few underrated heroes

Bidding adieu is one of the toughest things to do and the time has come again to say goodbye to another year. The term goodbye is so powerful that it moves hearts, drenches the eye-lashes and leaves memories forever. The term goodbye is so powerful that it gives “the hope” its meaning and “the optimism” its importance. Before we say goodbye to this wonderful year, I would dedicate this post to few individuals who have been so underrated in their long-lasting career in their respective fields.

In the middle of vanishing trust in politicians and vastly contaminating field of politics, there is one Congressman who has seen it all in his long political career and stood firm on his credibility not only amongst the people but also in the ranks of opposition. He has served more than four decades in the parliament. In a year when central government has been found lost amidst several social, economic and political issues, he has been the saviour of the government and aptly termed as the crisis manager. Mr. Pranav Mukherjee is a true statesman and hugely understated amongst the masses for his efforts in helping Indian National Congress (INC) run a coalition government which INC is not used to since the independence. May he continue to leverage his long political experience for the betterment of our country which badly needs it now!

This was a year when Indian cricket was supposed to prolong its number one position in test cricket. This never seemed possible and was never possible. Amidst heart shattering performances in test cricket by team India, which eventually cost us this number one position, there is one true individual who came out of a rough patch and emerged as only successful batsman. A true and down-to-earth gentleman, a great team-man, he has always put the team ahead as the team needed him. He survived tough demands of one day cricket over 15 year long career and in the fading years of his limited overs cricket, even matched the stroke making requirements of T-20 cricket. As a matter of fact, he will now lead Rajasthan Royals in the next IPL. Now second highest run-getter in test cricket and highest run-getter in tests in the year 2011, Rahul Dravid is a cricketer very understated compared to what he has done to Indian cricket.

New Delhi hosted common wealth games in the year 2010 and the event was a great success. The infrastructure of New Delhi benefitted enormously from this event and Delhi metro led the development story in the capital. Just upon completion of phase II of Delhi metro project, the metro has been able to connect all the major areas of Delhi. The man who has been behind all this has retired from his office today. Famous as a very sincere, honest and hardworking professional, he has delivered projects to Indian railways, Calcutta metro and DMRC which were of highest standards. His integrity come to the fore when he offered to resign as MD of DMRC taking moral responsibility for collapse of under construction bridge during Delhi metro project. I truly salute Mr. E. Sreedharan and several like him who work relentlessly in the background and are never known to the general public who indeed owe them a lot.

P.S. – I wish a very happy and prosperous new year to all the readers. Love you all! You all are so wonderful! Happy Blogging!

Flashing in the mob

It is holidays season once again and we are about to say goodbye to another year which had its own share of mixed events. Well, past is something which always had some good and some bad. What is definitely good is the future. I am more optimistic than ever today as several exciting moments of a wonderful life keep on unfolding. Indeed a wonderful journey the life itself is!

I thank all the readers who come here on this space and give me inspiration to write random thoughts. Most of the times, you will find this space serious and heavy. Therefore, I thought of bringing something entertaining on the plate today. In this particular year, we saw the concept of flash mob hitting metro cities and few other cities in India. It took me some time to get used to the term but this was something very very interesting. The idea dates back to 2003 when it was coined for the first time in Manhattan. However, it is now that it has come to India.

We all have seen what a Kolaveri can do. The audience prefers natural way of presenting the songs and videos these days. No wonder the flash mobs have drawn large amount of interest on the similar lines. All of a sudden, you see volunteers picking up in numbers in the middle of a busy street or a huge mall to entertain the public who is so engrossed in the daily affairs. Few in the public take weeks to smile whole heartedly. And the flash mob does the job of bringing back those smiles amidst a tough and tiring day out of nowhere.

Check this for instance. This is easily the best shot flash mob and deservingly attracted maximum hits on youtube among Indian flash mobs. You would see a lot of jaded face in the public which Mumbaikars can relate to easily. But then, look at what these youngster brought for them all of the sudden – smiles, fun and joy which perfectly matched with the flavour of the song.

I personally liked this one. Never thought this could happen in Kochi. They know how to add flavours in life and that too in true Indian spirit. Those kids seem wonderful and they really entertained big time. Three cheers to the dancing passion that can be seen only in southern part of India. They dance and they dance wonderfully.

Now the last piece that I thoroughly enjoyed is this one. This can happen in Park Street only on a lazy Sunday. I was chuckling to see the choice of song for a typical Kolkatan. You can be easily forgiven to assume that this was not Kolkata. What is missing in Kolkata these days is perhaps the vibrancy that came along with this song. I could only wish for its rubbing effect on to Didi! :)

Enigma of being a celebrity

The other day Amitabh Bachchan reminisced of his early days spent in Delhi winter – one what he described as a feature of ‘carefree life’. When asked about the place of original individuality in his very glamorous world, Karan Johar told us in an office gathering that it is already lost. Both of these responses from eminent bollywood personalities set me ponder on the enigma with which these people live – day in day out.

Be it cricketers, be it filmstars, be it other renowned personalities – the world knows them by what they do. For their popularity, only yardstick is probably their performance, delivery and product. Probably because it should be that ways, ideally! But then, the occupation of being a celebrity comes with an inherent hazard as Karan put it. There is one section of society who believes in criticizing the best of the works. There is a section called media who hovers around every possible inch of space in the life (personal as well as professional) of these celebrities. There is this self-inflicted image of being a celebrity which does not let them be their normal self after years of glory in public eyes.

Followers of Indian cricket would remember the incidence when stones were pelted at the house of our beloved cricketers’ homes after an early loss in World cup 2003. The same followers showered flowers during the spring of 2011 when the team – mostly comprising of same individuals – won them the world cup. Strange world – isn’t it? As a follower, as a fan, we tend to get emotional in a game when the chance of winning is 50% in each game for each team. Sachin Tendulkar said once in a pre-match interview that the other team also comes to play and with a mindset to win. No one likes the defeat.

Similarly, the filmstars slog hard to produce movies which are one of the best pastimes for us in India. Some of us may like it, some of us may not. Some of these movies may generate record breaking revenues; some can make the producers go bust. Our job should be limited to passing the judgment whether the movie was good or otherwise. But quite often, the good or bad work goes into the sentiments and nerves of the viewers and there emerges a strong liking or dislike for one particular personality on a personal level even without a single interaction. Constant criticism and media pressure gives way to an identity which in the first place is so superfluous.

Living with originality will be a tall order for them for they also have 24 hours to work with. It is widely said and believed that grass is greener on the other side. In the process, what is forgotten is that there are sides without grass too; there are sides where the grass is brown, dry and insipid. One may want to be a celebrity but there is a price for which it comes for. I would be rather contemplative and appreciative of what these celebrities go through and at the same time how they put up brave front to do things over and over again which offer a platform to rejoice, celebrate and entertain.

Hope I can be heard...

Almost 10 days ago, Kolkata woke up to another morning of sorrow, anger and losses. Little can I say to console the Kolkatans who lost their recuperating kin and relatives in supposedly one of best private hospitals (AMRI) due to an avoidable fire. As happens with most of the tragedies, this one too saw some blame game to begin with, continued with political propaganda coming to the fore and finally news channels flashing the combining effect of all the above.

Readers of this blog will remember the best things about Kolkata in my own words in one of the earlier series on the city of joy. Very generously, I ignored the grey shade of the city perhaps because the flow was so beautiful and at times romantic. Alas! All is not beautiful in this world and we have seen from time to time that it is not. I would not like to portray a grey shade of one particular city here, but from what we saw was mostly apologetic from human front and inhuman from safety front.

People flouting the rules and regulations can be seen across the country irrespective of social status, religion, state and background. Before one blames anyone, there is a need to look at one’s own self. How many times have we seen basic rules being flouted – 'umpteen number of times'? Haven’t we? How many times have we refrained from holding the accountables 'the accountable'? Very seldom. Just because it is so easy. Isn’t it? And who cares if these negligent acts cost few lives? None cares – what one care is to blame all the possible culprits once found in this very trap. I can’t see more miser way of looking at life.

My heart goes out to all those people who have been losing their lives due to failure of us as a society to do right things and follow basic discipline in day to day affairs. Yes, there was total lack of leadership in this particular mishap. But, leaders is none but one from us. And when largely the society consists of such mean and rule-breaking people, there is always one such fire on the cards. Sadly, these accidents take place and are then forgotten. No learning taken and chalta hai attitude! No words I have! No sentiments to represent what I think at this juncture! Hope a few handful can hear and understand what my point is!!!